Improving access and the rational use of antimicrobials: Antimicrobial Stewardship and regulatory frameworks

Theme 3

Improving access and the rational use of antimicrobials: Antimicrobial Stewardship and regulatory frameworks

Optimizing how antimicrobials are appropriately accessed, prescribed, and its ethical use helps preserve their effectiveness.

Adequate AMR-responsive UHC policies ensure that everyone has appropriate access to effective antimicrobial treatments. This is especially critical in low- and middle-income countries that have high AMR burden, that is exacerbated by lack of access, inappropriate access such as availability of over-the-counter antibiotics, and self-medication due to cost barriers.

Adherence to national standards and guidance (e.g. WHO AWaRe classification for essential antimicrobials), enforcement of regulatory measures such as banning the sale or dispensation of antibiotics without a prescription, updated national prescribing guidelines and review of clinical algorithms to monitor adherence to judicious prescribing, veterinary oversight, health care and animal health workforce training.

Reducing antibiotic use in agriculture with demonstrated reduction in residues in the food chain, legal policies in effect to enforce prescription-only antibiotic access.

Examples to monitor rational use

Key actions